U.K. Criticized For Cutting Aid To W. Africa; London Conference Sees New Partnerships But Challenges Remain

News outlets report on U.K. aid to Sierra Leone and Liberia and a London conference addressing international assistance to Ebola-hit nations.

The Guardian: Cut in U.K. aid to Sierra Leone may have helped spread of Ebola, MPs say
“…The International Development Select committee says Britain’s reduced funding to [Liberia and Sierra Leone] could have helped compromise their health systems, which have disintegrated in the face of the epidemic, exacting a heavy death toll on health workers as well as patients. The report comes as world leaders and public health experts are gathering in London for a conference to raise awareness about the Ebola virus…” (Boseley, 10/2).

IRIN: Ebola and Sierra Leone — money is the easy bit
“…The U.K. Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, said that although the U.K. was leading and coordinating the response in Sierra Leone, it needed international help, and the [London] meeting had brought significant progress; new partnerships had been forged and he expected those to lead to significant further pledges. … One of the officials who organized the conference told IRIN that offering money was an easy decision, but pledging medical staff, equipment and logistical help took a lot more working out…” (10/2).